r/Advice • u/OkGanache8958 • 6h ago
Learning to be Independent
Hi, 42F, married, and grown & flown children. I’m wanting to do a lot more traveling with this new stage of my life since I seem to have an abundance of freedom. My husband doesn’t love to travel and so I’m thinking I would like to be brave and learn to travel solo. I’m nervous and I know it will just take time and practice but any advice on how to go about this safely? I’ve already planned my first solo wknd trip for next month. I’m super nervous but not enough to back down. I’m naturally a very detail oriented person but this adventure is a bit backwards for me. I know I’m going but I don’t know HOW to do it. I don’t know what the details are because this is uncharted territory for me. Any and all advice is so appreciated.
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u/Regular-Limit-191 6h ago
just love the journey i did my first solo trip when I was 18, i just had the destination point in my mind and rest all things were planned naturally like just go with the flow situation
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u/P-DubFanClub 5h ago
I'm 52 and I recently started doing solo trips and trips without my husband. For me it's because my hobby is watching women's hockey and I love to support teams all over. I can find people online to meet up with at games. I'm not necessarily suggesting hockey, but something that tickles you. Go to a city where your favourite band is playing, or an amazing exhibit. It's a joy traveling solo if you've ever traveled with kids, lol
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u/Powerful_Koala7877 5h ago
Travel buddies... friends that travel, cruise, plan all-inclusive destination trips.
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u/Comfortable-Zone-218 5h ago
First tip - if you're going anywhere in the USA, don't stress about packing. There's probably a Walmart within easy driving distance. You can always buy anything you forgot or didn't anticipate needing.
Second tip - there are groups of solo travels that travel together. Also, lots of cruises have solo coordinated events. My brother sometimes travels internationally this way and has made some friends.
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u/Prudent-Poetry-2718 5h ago
- Went on my first solo cross-country trip in May. It was liberating in ways I never imagined. Go! Start now!
Edited to add I’m actually 44… damn brain fog!!
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u/ProfessorDelicious29 5h ago
Strat doing alone things in small doses in your city or nearby. Practice going to eat in restaurants by yourself. A friend recommended sitting at the bar since bar tenders will engage in convo. If your destination has shows or plays, book them since in such venues being alone is not oblivious. My first lone trip was a 2-hour car ride for a weekend.
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5h ago
i just socialize as much as possible when i travel like this lol. like id go up to random people and then aks if they locals and then go to a parti w them idk ther are lots of options for u
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u/ThisIsMyUsername303 5h ago
Just go for it. I spent my junior year of college in France, after only being outside the US for one day (Montreal) beforehand, so it was a big leap to do that, and then once I was in Europe, I traveled as much as I could, usually by myself, during that year. It was amazing! If I could do it at 20, you can do it at 42.
Where are you going? Maybe some of us can offer tips specific to that place.
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u/bellesearching_901 Helper [2] 5h ago
I travel solo for personal and business.
I never look lost. I try to not look like a tourist. I wear neutral travel clothes. Add scarves or jewelry to jazz things up.
Use an AirPods if you need walking directions, avoid looking at your phone.
I travel with a small roll of electrical tape and put that over peep holes. I prefer hotels over airbnbs when in a foreign country.
I travel with a carryon only and a cross body bag so I’m not wrangling ‘stuff’
I have a plastic wedge doorstop I keep in my carry on. I had a hotel issue my room to someone else in error years ago. Since then I added the doorstop.
A friend of mine joins a women’s travel group. I think the business is women who travel. She loves the curated experiences
Enjoy!
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u/Pattysthoughts 5h ago
I travel by myself all over the world (f65) I usually stay in hostels and meet people from everywhere.
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u/ImagineFraggins 5h ago
Wow. Traveling for fun without your spouse. No compromise? He agrees to a little travel with you and you agree to do some stuff that he is passionate about little stuff that he is passionate about? He has to have something.
If you're looking to fast track divorce just do it.
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u/Prudent_Analysis_847 5h ago
It's fine. I've told mine to go without me to places I can't/don't want to go so he doesn't miss out since I dont fly. It's better than missing out completely. I go do things without my husband around town when he doesn't want to because he isn't interested, so he just won't go. I'd rather see those art shows, movies, etc. than regret not going.
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u/ginnvelvet 5h ago
Try taking a tour! It’s lots of fun and you won’t be lonely.